{{disambig-more|Battle of Dagorlad|[[Battle of Dagorlad (disambiguation)]]}}

{{disambig-more|Battle of Dagorlad|[[Battle of Dagorlad (disambiguation)]]}}

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{{battle

{{battle

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|commanders1=

|commanders1=

{{Gil-galad blazon}}

{{Gil-galad blazon}}

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*[[Elendil]]

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*[[Elendil]]

*[[Elrond]]

*[[Elrond]]

*[[Oropher]] †

*[[Oropher]] †

*[[Amdír]] †

*[[Amdír]] †

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*[[Durin IV]]

|commanders2= {{Sauron blazon}}

|commanders2= {{Sauron blazon}}

|forces1=Hundreds of thousands of Men, Elves, and Dwarves

|forces1=Hundreds of thousands of Men, Elves, and Dwarves

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|casual2=Vast numbers, more than the allies|

|casual2=Vast numbers, more than the allies|

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{{quote|It was a great battle. Tall Men with long swords, and terrible Elves, and Orcses shrieking. They fought on the plain for days and months at the Black Gates.|[[Gollum]]<ref name=Passage/>}}

The '''Battle of Dagorlad''' occurred in the year {{SA|3434|n}} of the [[Second Age]]. It was fought between the army of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]] under [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elendil]] and an army of [[Orcs]] and other creatures loyal to [[Sauron]]. The battle took place on the great, treeless, open plain between the [[Dead Marshes]] and [[Cirith Gorgor]].

The '''Battle of Dagorlad''' occurred in the year {{SA|3434|n}} of the [[Second Age]]. It was fought between the army of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]] under [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elendil]] and an army of [[Orcs]] and other creatures loyal to [[Sauron]]. The battle took place on the great, treeless, open plain between the [[Dead Marshes]] and [[Cirith Gorgor]].

==Prelude==

==Prelude==

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{{main|War of the Last Alliance}}

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The united host of Elves and Men crossed the [[Misty Mountains]] and marched south through the vale of [[Anduin]], where they were joined by the [[Silvan Elves]] led by [[Amdír]]<ref group=note>In the text in the [[Unfinished Tales]] Amdír is named [[Malgalad]] for an unknown reason.</ref> and [[Oropher]],<ref name="Silvan Princes">{{UT|6b}}</ref> with a host from [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]].<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>

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After the [[Downfall of Númenor]] in {{SA|3319}} the remaining [[Faithful]] led by [[Elendil]] and his sons [[Isildur]] and [[Anárion]] etablished the [[Realms in Exile]] in [[Middle-earth]]. Elendil ruled [[Arnor]] in the north, Isildur and Anarion jointly ruled the southern realm of [[Gondor]]. Sauron had survived the Fall of Númenor and returned to his fortress [[Barad-dûr]] in [[Mordor]].

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The Alliance entered the vast plain near the [[Black Gate]], where they were joined by Anárion's forces from the south, and confronted at last the black legions of Mordor.

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Perceiving that his enemies of old had escaped the downfall, Sauron's wrath was great and in {{SA|3429|n}} he launched an attack upon Gondor. To counter this attack Elendil and [[Gil-galad]], [[High King of the Noldor]] forged the [[Last Alliance|Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] to defeat Sauron finally. Meanwhile Anárion held out in Gondor, defending [[Osgiliath]] and [[Minas Anor]]<ref name="Appendix A">{{App|A1}}</ref>.

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The united host of Elves and Men crossed the [[Misty Mountains]] and marched south through the vale of [[Anduin]], where they were joined by the [[Silvan Elves]] lead by [[Amdír]] and [[Oropher]]<ref name="Silvan Princes">{{UT|6b}}</ref>. and also a host from [[Khazad-dûm]]<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>. The Alliance entered the vast plain between the [[Dead Marshes]] and [[Cirith Gorgor]], where Sauron's host awaited them, from the north-west and where joined by Anárion's forces.

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The Silvan Elves had little sympathy for the [[Sindar]] and [[Noldor]] that were led by Gil-galad. As a result they were indisposed to place themselves under the supreme command of the [[High King of the Noldor]].

==The Battle==

==The Battle==

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During preliminary skirmishing, the Silvan Elves defying Gil-galad's command, rashly charged against the numerous host of Mordor, before the King had given the order. The Silvans were valiant and doughty, but ill-equipped compared to their nobler kin. [[Oropher]] perished in the first onslaught while [[Amdír]] and his troops were cut off and driven into the marshes where half of his host perished.<ref name="Silvan Princes"/> This area became known afterwards as the [[Dead Marshes]], because of the thousands of bodies buried there.

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Not many accounts of the battle itself are given. The two captains of the Silvan Elves had little sympathy for the [[Sindar]] and [[Noldor]] Elves that were lead by Gil-galad. As a result they were indisposed to place themselves under the supreme command of Gil-galad and impetuous and stubborn as they were attacked the host of Mordor rashly, before Gil-galad had given the command. The Silvans were valiant and doughty, but comparably ill-equipped and [[Oropher]] perished in the first onslaught while [[Amdír]] and his troops were cut off an driven into the marshes where half of his host perished<ref name="Silvan Princes"/>.

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This battle raged for months.<ref name=Passage>{{TT|IV2}}</ref> No account is given about the course of events during those months; it is possible that it consisted of a siege of the [[Black Gate]] and skirmishes against sorties by the Orcs and [[Men of Darkness]].<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, entry "Battle of Dagorlad"</ref>

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Nevertheless the Alliance gained the upper hand and drove away the Orcs and wicked Men Sauron had mustered. Thus they finally broke through [[Cirith Gorgor]] (it is unclear how the Alliance managed to break through the Morannon), and established a camp upon Gorgoroth<ref name="Rings"/>.

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Elendil and Gil-galad were invincible and gained the upper hand. Thus Elves and Númenóreans finally pushed the enemy hordes back towards the [[Black Gate]] and broke through [[Cirith Gorgor]].<ref name="Rings"/>

==Aftermath==

==Aftermath==

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A great part of Sauron's soldiers was slain in this battle. The Alliance was able to enter Mordor, establish a camp upon the [[Plateau of Gorgoroth]] and lay the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]] itself. Nevertheless Sauron still had enough supplies to defend the fortress for seven more years, until the siege was so pressing that he himself came forth, which led to the battle on the slopes of Orodruin in which Sauron was defeated and [[the One Ring]] taken from him.<ref name="Rings"/>

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A great part of Sauron's soldiers was slain in this battle. The Alliance was able to enter Mordor and lay siege upon Barad-dûr itself. Nevertheless Sauron still had enough supplies to defend the fortress for seven more years, until the siege was so pressing that he himself came forth, which led to the battle on the slopes of Orodruin in which Sauron was defeated and [[the One Ring]] taken from him.<ref name="Rings"/>

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Oropher's son [[Thranduil]] survived the war and established his reign over the Silvan Elves in the [[Woodland Realm]].

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The slain were buried and their graves eventually were engulfed by the [[Dead Marshes]].<ref name=Passage/>

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==Notes==

In the [[Third Age]], the Dagorlad was the site of several battles between [[Gondor]] and various [[Easterlings|Easterling]] armies, and the climatic [[Battle of the Morannon]].

In the [[Third Age]], the Dagorlad was the site of several battles between [[Gondor]] and various [[Easterlings|Easterling]] armies, and the climatic [[Battle of the Morannon]].

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In the text in the [[Unfinished Tales]] Amdír is named [[Malgalad]] for an unknown reason.<ref name="Silvan Princes"/> Oropher's son [[Thranduil]] survived the war and established his reign over the Silvan Elves in [[Eryn Galen]].

The Alliance entered the vast plain near the Black Gate, where they were joined by Anárion's forces from the south, and confronted at last the black legions of Mordor.

The Silvan Elves had little sympathy for the Sindar and Noldor that were led by Gil-galad. As a result they were indisposed to place themselves under the supreme command of the High King of the Noldor.

During preliminary skirmishing, the Silvan Elves defying Gil-galad's command, rashly charged against the numerous host of Mordor, before the King had given the order. The Silvans were valiant and doughty, but ill-equipped compared to their nobler kin. Oropher perished in the first onslaught while Amdír and his troops were cut off and driven into the marshes where half of his host perished.[2] This area became known afterwards as the Dead Marshes, because of the thousands of bodies buried there.

This battle raged for months.[1] No account is given about the course of events during those months; it is possible that it consisted of a siege of the Black Gate and skirmishes against sorties by the Orcs and Men of Darkness.[4]

Elendil and Gil-galad were invincible and gained the upper hand. Thus Elves and Númenóreans finally pushed the enemy hordes back towards the Black Gate and broke through Cirith Gorgor.[3]

A great part of Sauron's soldiers was slain in this battle. The Alliance was able to enter Mordor, establish a camp upon the Plateau of Gorgoroth and lay the Siege of Barad-dûr itself. Nevertheless Sauron still had enough supplies to defend the fortress for seven more years, until the siege was so pressing that he himself came forth, which led to the battle on the slopes of Orodruin in which Sauron was defeated and the One Ring taken from him.[3]